What does throughput measure in networking?

Throughput in networking specifically measures the actual amount of successful data transfer that occurs over a network in a given period. It is expressed in bits per second (bps) or other similar units, such as megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). Throughput indicates the effective speed at which data moves from one point to another after considering various factors such as network congestion, protocol overhead, and any potential interference.

While the potential maximum speed describes the highest possible speed a network can achieve under ideal conditions, it does not account for real-world variables that affect performance. The distance that cables can transmit relates to the physical limitations of the medium rather than actual data transfer rates. Packet loss refers to the percentage of data packets that fail to reach their destination, which can negatively impact throughput but does not define it directly. Thus, the focus on successful data transfer makes the correct answer the most precise representation of what throughput measures.